Stylish and flamboyant former India all-rounder Salim Durani passed away at the age of 88 in Jamnagar, Gujarat where he was residing with his brother. His family confirmed that the legendary cricketer passed away due to age-related ailments.
Durani played 29 Tests for India and took 75 wickets, with the best bowling figure of 10 for 177. With the bat in hand, he scored 1202 runs with the highest score of 104 against West Indies in 1962.
The cricketer, who was born in Kabul in 1934, played 170 FC matches scoring 8545 runs with 14 centuries with the best of 137* and picked 484 wickets with the best of 8/99.
Durani entertained the fans right from his first Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat in 1953-54 and was known for hitting sixes whenever the fans demanded.
He had a special rapport with the spectators, who once agitated when he was dropped from the team for the Kanpur Test in 1973, with placards and slogans such as, "No Durani, no Test!"
The star cricketer also dabbled in Bollywood, starring opposite renowned actor Praveen Babi in the movie Charitra in 1973.
He was also the first cricketer to receive Arjuna Award. And he was also present during the historic India vs Afghanistan Test match on 14 June 2018, being the only Afghanistan-born Indian cricketer.
He was awarded the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI in 2011.
As the news of his passing became viral, tributes poured in from everywhere including PM Narendra Modi.
He tweeted: “Salim Durani Ji was a cricketing legend, an institution in himself. He made a key contribution to India’s rise in the world of cricket. On and off the field, he was known for his style. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.
Salim Durani Ji had a very old and strong association with Gujarat. He played for Saurashtra and Gujarat for a few years. He also made Gujarat his home. I have had the opportunity to interact with him and was deeply impressed by his multifaceted persona. He will surely be missed.”
Apart from the PM, the Indian cricket fraternity took Twitter and shared their condolences and respect to the late cricketer.
Here are the tweets:
